After a trip to Colorado over the weekend, the Wildcat volleyball team has discovered its identity.
The Wildcats went 2-2 over the weekend, but their last game, a 3-2 comeback win over Mesa St., gave head coach Kellen Mock a reason to look forward to the rest of the season.
“We figured out who we are this weekend,” Mock said. “It was important to finish with a win, and Mesa St., I think, was the best team we played all weekend.”
The tournament didn’t start out the Wildcats’ favor. A gut-wrenching 3-2 loss to Fort Lewis College put the Wildcats in the loss column early. All five games were decided by five points or less with Jennie Hutt and Jordan Schilling each posting double-doubles their first game of the season.
“Jennie is one of our most consistent players,” Mock said. “She brings it every game, and she really helped us this weekend.”
In the nightcap, ACU pounded Slippery Rock (Pa.) 3-0. Ijeoma Moronu posted her first double-double with 35 assists and 11 digs. Freshmen Neely Borger and Madelyn Robinett stepped up in their first collegiate tournament, each posting two blocks and two kills.
“Neely is such a phenomenal athlete,” Mock said. “She has consistently improved and did not play like a freshman this weekend. Maddie also did a great job stepping up and playing multiple positions.”
In the second day of action, the Wildcats again got off to a rough start, getting shut out by Regis College 3-0. It was the first time ACU had been shut out since Sept. 17 of last year when they lost 3-0 to West Texas A&M.
ACU showed their fortitude in the second game of the evening as they fought back for an exciting 3-2 win against Mesa St. College. Moronu had a stellar game with 12 blocks and 48 assists. Shawna Hines also came up big for the ‘Cats adding eight blocks and 19 kills.
“That win should light a fire under us,” said Robinett. “The seniors keep preaching that we should win conference, so this is just the first step.”
Even though the Wildcats are now 2-2, Mock is choosing to see this weekend as a learning experience.
“It was frustrating to come out with two losses,” Mock said. “Even though we have a lot of familiar faces on the court, there is a lot of newness and freshness to this team, which I really like to see.”
The Wildcats are in action again next weekend down in Austin for the Hilltopper Invitational hosted by St. Edwards.
